Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Bill Steinbrecher has announced that the Crusaders head women's basketball coach Keith Freeman has signed a contract extension through the 2006-2007 season, and that Steve Bruce has been promoted to Associate Head Coach.

Freeman was named Valpo head coach prior to the 1994-1995 season and guided the Brown and Gold to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002-2003. With the Crusaders, he has posted a 155-106 record over nine seasons.

Bruce joined Freeman's staff as an assistant coach prior to the 1999-2000 season and has been instrumental in the Crusaders postseason success over the past two years. He has led Valpo's defense, which has finished in the top-30 in scoring defense over the past two years.